Thermostatic relay valve



April 29 1924.

J. ARMSTRONG THERMOS TATI C RELAY VALVE Filed July 14, 1921 I5 Sheets-Sheet l A ril 29, 1924. 1,492,115

J. ARMSTRONG THERMOSTATI C RELAY VALVE Filed July 14. 1921 5 Sheets-$heet 2 M I J2 30 11 a4 J g E 4 I i;z .420 21 4-5:; g1@

ii-k I42 In 1/ K6 40 1 4 lg; tm 2/ I ag 46 4 aa April 29, 1924.

J. ARMSTRONG THERMOSTATIC RELAY VALVE Filed July 14. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 V i I-EIIII III-iL M, QQMLMQ WM remaa Apr. 29, 1 y

JOFEPH ARMSTRONG, OF MALDEN, SSAOHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR '10 AMMTOAN MOIS- TENING COMPANY, Q1 BOSTON,

V 'rnnnmosrarrc w "ap lication filed Jul it, real. serial no. eaao.

To all whom it may comm:

Be it known that I, J osnrn Anmsrnowe, a 2, citlzen of the United States, residing at Fi Malden, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thermostatic Relay Valves, of which the followin is a specification.

' is invention relates to improvements in thermostatic relay valves. It is herein illustrated as it may be applied to control automatically by compressed air the opening and closing of a valve in a steam pipe. The apfiaratus may, however, be actuated with uids other than air, and may be arranged to cause the actuation of various sorts of apparatus, quite diverse in character. It is an object of the invention to improve upon relay valves heretofore proposed, by providing. for construction of the same in a compact and simplified manner, within a neat and small casing, with the various arts easily accessible for maintenance or a just-- ment.

These objects are accomplished by providin a single block of metal which cone tains wit in itself, with aid of its base and cover, all the various elements which comprise the relay apparatus, includingthe filter, the relay valve, the diaphragm chain her, with, its vent and thermostatic valve for controlling the relay, and the operating means connecting said control chamber with the relay valve, by which is controlled the access of operating fluid to the main apparatus that is to be worked, as for example, and as herein illustrated, its access to the diaphragm controller of a steam valve which is to be opened or closed according to the fall or the rise of temperature at the place where the thermostat is located. The invention may be applied in various ways, details of one bein shown in the accompanying drawings y way of illustration. It is intended that the patent shall cover by suitable expression in the appended claims whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of apparatus embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Figure 3 is a plan of the same;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the apparatus seen in Figure l, with the cover removed;

: ACE'USETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE. 1

in medial section on the line 5-5 of re I igure 6 is a cover removed;

Figure 7 illustrates on a smaller scale the apparatus shown in, Figure 1 with connect1on to the device at which the relay is comple;

F1gure8 is a plan of the apparatus viewed from theloottom, with cover removed; V

Figure 9 is a plan, in section onthe line 9-9 of Figure 5; Figure 10 shows the interior face of one of the parts, as if viewed from the right in Figure 9;'and

Figure-11 is a section ofa detail, on the line 11-11 of Figure 10.

ln the drawings Figure 7 shows at the left the apparatus of the invention having the cover casing 10, inlet 11 and outlet 12 and it's'connection through pipe 13 to a casplan of the same, with the ling liflcontaining a diaphragm for operat- .mgthe stem. 15 of a valve 16 in a pipe line.

Springs 17 tend normally to open the valve 6;1bu t"are overcome when suflicient pressure-exists in the casing 14, whereupon the valve stem 15 is pushed to the right thus closing the valve 16. When pressure falls in the casing 14 the springs 17 open the valve 16. If air is employed in the system it is possible to obtain with simple and convenient apparatus an extremely powerful pressure such as will easily control ahigh pressure of steam in the pipe and valve 16.

a The invention is concerned more particularly with the construction, which in Figure 7, is concealed from view behind the casing 10, whose function is to control the air pressure in the casing 14, and to do this with satisfactory promptness upon the occurrence of the predetermined temperature, notwithstanding the extremely diminutive character of certain of the passages by which the control is effected. It will be understood that the drawings exaggerate the size of some of the passages for the sake of showingthem clearly. The apparatus comprises a block 20 of brass or other suitable metal in which sundry interconnecting passages and superficial recesses having converings, cooperate with valves and a diaphragm therein. There is anauxiliary block 21 which, as illustrated, is also part of the base of the apparatus, bearing against the rear face of block 20.

Figure 5 is aside elevation like Figure This has the two-barreled aspect seen in Figures 9 and 10. One of these barrels has the inlet nipple 11, which, in operation, is open to a constant supply of air under moderate pressure, as for example, ten pounds per square inch, which leads downward into a chamber 22 where there is filtering material 23, such as horsehair, from which a small passage 24 seen in Figures 11, 10 and 9 leads horizontally through the web joining the barrels, as far as the middle of the base. The base of the apparatus also comprises the rails 21', which extend alon and behind the sides of the remainder oi the apparatus, down to the foot 2 which has a screw hole 21" for securing the apparatus to the wall of a room. The two-barrelled part of the base is at the top and rear of the apparatus as it normally hangs on the wall. Its central web, joinin the barrels, lies against the back face of b ock 20 and contains the passage 24 and also part of passage 25 which runs horizontally forward to the surface of the web, toward eye in Figure 4 to connect with the interior valve chamber 26 which is formed in block 20 on the same axis with the passage 25.v This chamber has two openings for escape of air. The one, 27, capable of being closed by valve 46, under pressure of .air in chamber 26, extends along the axis in the same direction to an interior chamber 28 whence there is a passage 29 to theright, Figure 4, seen clearly in the plan view, Figure 9, that leads back through the block 20 into the base 21 and into a passage 30 therein which connects with an outlet nipple 12 and so leads on to the diaphragmof the valve 16 which is to be operated. This passage furnishes the air for operating the diaphragm and is therefore to be made of such size as will permit the filling of the casing 14 with air at the requisite pressure with the requisite promptness after the thermostatic element of the apparatus has experienced and registered the temperature at which it is desired to have the valve 16 operate. The other way 31, for escape of air from the valve chamber 26, extends upward Figure 5, but is greatly reduced at oneoint by an obstruction 32 seated across t e passage. The air-way is continuously open only through a small channel 32 in the face of the obstructing body, illustrated by a mere mark, being such as may be made by a scratch of a file. This obstruction, which is removable, for the clearing away of any foreign matter that may clog such an extremely small passage, is herein referred to as a restriction valve although in operation it is always closed, except that air can pass it freely through the said restricted passa e. Such air goes up into the chamber 33 which contains the restriction valve stem 32", and thence escapes forward horizontally through a passage 34, which leads to a diaphragm for flow to occur.

eans chamber 35 whence there is a vent 36 to atmosphere. At certain temperatures this vent will be closed by a primary valve 37 set on the moving end of a thermostat 38.

\Vhen the local temperature is low enough,

a minute flow of air 1s constantly passing out from the v lve chamber 26 through passageby the thermostat the constant flow of air qiiickly builds up enough pressure in the small diaphragm chamber 35 to bulge the diaphragm 40 inward, so that its central button 40 seats upon the end of stem 46 of the valve 46. Thereby it closes an axial passage 46" in the end of that stem, which when open is the vent for the maindiaphragm System27, 28, 29, 30, 12, 13 and 14. with which it communicates through a smal lateral hole 46" in said stem (Figure 9). Further bulging of the diaphragm 40 opens the valve 46 and so opens the axial main passage 27 from valve chamber 26, thus admitting air under pressure to said main system. This diaphragm is so much larger than the valve 46 that onl a little pressure is required to open it and overcome both air and the positioning spring 45, housed in the valve chamber 26. The spring may be based on a lug 44 screwed into the block 20 through which runs axially a continuation of the passage 25. The diaphragm is held lNl peripherally by a cover 43 which clamps I down its edges and by a cap 42 which screws on the outside of the block 20 to maintain this cap and diaphragm tight. The sequence and combination of passages, chambers, and valves permit air at desired pressure to fill the inlet and passages in the regulating apparatus at least as far as the valves 46 and 32. The latter permits an extremely small continuous current of air to flow, so long as the pressure in passages 33 and 34 and the diaphragm chamber 35 is low enough This condition prevails with valve 46 closed so longas the vent 36 remains open. In consequence, the small vent 46" by relieving the main system including the diaphragm within casing 14, keeps the air therein at atmospheric pressure; and the springs 17 maintain the valve 16 open. I

The thermostat 38 may be of any ordinary or suitable type. As herein illustrated it is adjustable bodily on its mounting, with res set to the vent 36, by means of a screw s aft 50. A key hole 51 permits an end engagement of a key for turning shaft 50, thus setting the sub-base which supports the thermostat forward or back so that more or less am 'litude of flexure of the thermostat 38 will required to close the vent 86a The as degree of setting may be observed {and gauged by means of a scale 54 on the d1sk 55, which may be marked in degrees. When the temperature rises so that the corresponding amplitude of fiexure is enough to close the .vent 36, from whatever the settmg is at the time, it takes but a short time for even the extremely restricted flow to raise the pressure in the diaphragm chamber 35 enough to flex the diaphragm 40, open the valve 46, and thus let the main flow of air through the passages 27, 28, 29, 30, 12 and 13 to build up pressure on the steam valve diaphragm in order to close that valve.

In the apparatus thus described the V3.11- ous interior passages can be made by drllhng in various directions into or through the block 20 and then plugging permanently the exterior entrance portions of such of these holes thus made, as are not to be used. To avoid confusion and unnecessary complexity the unused parts of 1such drill holes, and the plugs therein are not shown in the drawings. The chamber 28 for the valve stem 46' and the chamber 33 for the restriction valve stem 32 may have their exterior entrances closed by movable plugs 55 and 56 respectively. In the case of the last mentioned, the plug 56 carries the stem 32" of the valve 32 and is to be screwed down until the valve 32 is seated, according to the construction which forms the subject matter for application of Letters Patent by me jointly with Frank B. Comins, Serial No. 473,331.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: Assume that the controlled valve 16 is open for flow of steam, and that the temperature in the region of the thermostatic element 38 is below that point at which the bending of the element closes the vent 36. The air in the pressure supply pipe 11 is then passing through inlet 11 to the filter 23 in chamber 22 in the base 21, and thence through the small assage 24 (Figs. 11, 10, 9), and the parts 0 passage 25 which are respectively in the base 21 and in the plug 44 into chamber 26 in the block 20. There it exerts pressure on the head of the valve 46 in direction to seat it. A small quantity of this air escapes from chamber 26 through passage 31 (Fig. 5) and channel 32 in the face of the obstruction 32, into chamber 33 from which it continues on through passage 34 to the diaphragm chamber 35. It goes thence to atmosphere through the vent 36 which has been assumed to be open because of the valve 37 on the moving end of the thermostatic element 38 being slightly removed from the mouth of this vent 36. Under these conditions there is no pressure on the diaphragm in casing 14, which is vented to atmosphere through the pipe 13, outlet 12, passage 30 in the base 21 (Figs. 7, 10) passage 29 (Figs. 10, 9, 6) chamber 29 (Fi.

9) axial passage 46" in stem 46: of the valve 46, the chamber 57 under the diaphragm 40, l

and the hole 58 in the block 21. .Accordingly steam is assing the valve 16 whose en'oughto move the element 38 toward t e" left in Fig. 5 until its valve 37 closes the vent 36 a change occurs because of making the diaphragm chamber 35. air tight. The continued though smallfiow of air into this chamber throu h restriction valve 32 and passage 34, as a ready described, soon builds up sui iicient pressure therein to flex the diaphragm 40 and to bulge its central button 40' against the end of the valve stem 46' so as to close its axial passage 46". This shuts off the vent from chamber 28. Upon further accumulation of pressure in the diaphragm chamber 35,. and consequent further movement of the valve stem 46, the valve 46 will be pushed from its seat, and the air supply from chamber 26 will flow past the now open valve 46, along the annular passage 27 around a ortion of its stem, into the chamher 28. T ence it. continues on through passages 29 and 30, outlet 12 and pipe 13 to the casing 14, where it operates upon the diaphragm therein to close valve 16 shutting off the steam supply. When the temperature thereafter falls, the element 38 moves to the right, opening vent 36, through which the pressure in diaphragm chamber 35 at once escapes. As a consequence, the diaphragm 40 returns to its normal position because of its own resiliency and because it is urged toward that position by the valve stem 46, transmitting the combined force of the supply pressure in chamber 26 and of the positiomng spring 45, which together act constantly upon the head of valve 46- in direction to seat it. After this valve seats, further movement of the diaphragm 40, to its normal position, withdraws its button from the end of stem 46' openingthe axial passage 46 and permitting the air which has been effective in kee ing the valve 16 closed to escape into cham er 57 and thence to the atmosphere through hole 58. Upon the consequent reduction of pressure in the casing 14, the springs 17 cause the valve 16 to open and permit steam to flow again to warm the region where the thermostatic element is placed. U on the rise of temperature the element wi 1 again respond and the cycle of operations described will be repeated.

I claim:

1. A thermostatic relay valve comprising a base having separate passages for fluid under pressure; a block mounted on said base having a main passage connectin with the separate passages of the base to orm a continuous passage through the base and block; an auxiliary restricted passage within the block leading from said continuous pass sage and having a vent; a valve within the block, set in the continuous passage beyond its connection with the auxiliary passage and arranged with the fluid pressure in said continuous passage acting on its head tending to seat it; a sprin in said continuous passage pressing on sai valve head and coacting with the fluid pressure thereon to. seat it; thermostatic means mounted on said base and adapted to close said vent; andmeans whereby the pressure which ensues in the auxiliary passage overcomes the combined pressures of said spring and the fluid in the continuous passage acting on the valve head whereby the valve is opened.

' 2. A thermostatic relay valve comprising a base having separate passages for fluid under pressure; a block mounted on said base having a main passage connectin with the separate passages of the base to orm a continuous passage through the base and block; an auxiliary restricted passage within the block leading from said continuous passage and having a vent; a valve within the block, set in the continuous passage beyond its connection with the auxiliary passage and arranged with the fluid pressure in said continuous passage acting on its head in direction to seat it; thermostatic means under mounted on said base and adapted to close said vent; and means whereby the pressure which ensues in the auxiliary passage overcomes the fluid pressure acting on the valve head and opens said valve.

3. A thermostatic relay valve comprisin a base having separate passages for flui pressure, one of which passages has a relat1vely large diameter adapted to receive the end of an entering inlet pipe and continues of the 'same diameter beyond the end of said pipe and there has filtering material, constituting an entrance filtering chamber; and the other of which passage is relatively small and constitutes an exit passage leading to apparatus to be actuated; a block mounted on said base having a main passage connecting with the said entrance and exit passagesto form a continuous passage through said base and block; an auxiliary restricted passage within the block leadlng from said continuous passage and having a vent; avalve within the block, set in the continuous passage beyond its connection with the auxiliary passage; thermostatic means mounted on said base and adaplted to close said vent; and means Whereby t e pressure which ensues in the auxiliary passage may open the valve.

Signed at Boston, Massachusetts, this eleventh day of July, 1921. p

JOSEPH ARMSTRONG. 

